The Irish standard., 1887-05-07
THE MONTH OF OUR MOTHER
The Devotions and Feasts in Honor of the
Blessed Virgin as Observed by the
Church of Christ.
THE PIETY OF HER CHILDREN

Prompted Them to Select the Beautiful
Month Of May as the Best and Most
Pleasing Offering.
The Church, ever attractive to pro-
curing glory for Mary, has multiplied
devotions and feasts in her honor. She
invites her children to no or her three
times day by the recitation of the
Angelus, she consecrates the Saturday
of each week to her, and celebrates one
of her festivals almost every month.
But this was not enough for the piety
of her children. MI hearts filed with
the love of Mary, wished to pay her
their homage in a way still more nota-
BILE. A holy priest filled the void which
all acknowledged, by making them con-
secrate month in the year to celebrat-
ing the greatness and studying the vir-
tues of the august Virgin. "Now, J"
we'll says Father Lalomia, 'swhen one
makes an Offering, he should choose
what is best aud most pleasing; this is
why the most beautiful month of the
year has been selected, which, by the
renovation of nature and the agree
able variety of flowers wherewith the
earth IS covered, seems to invite the
soul to recognize grace, to clothe itself
with most beautiful acts of virtue, to
make of them as it were, as crown for
the Queen of the Universe"
The author of so holy a practice re-
mains unknown; all researches can only
lead to uncertainty. God doubtless
wished to preserve the humility of His
servant from the praises of men, re-
serving an infinitely more precious re-
ward for him in heaven; but He has
blessed his work. Its development and
spread strike the most prejudiced
minds with astonishment, and compel
them to- recognize the finger of God
therein. A holy priest, whose name is
so we'll known and so justly revered by
all children of Mary, thus explains this
wonder to us: Remember that touch
ing story of the prophet Elias, VINO, af-
ter three mortal years of drought, re-
tires on the summit of Carmel, and i'm
plores God to remember his mercies of
Old Six times in succession he sends
his servant to look toward the sea, and
he anxiou3ly asks him if he does not be-
hold some favorable sign. Only on the
seventh day does the young man tell
him of a little cloud the size of a mans
foot" Truly it is very little; it is
enough to make the prophet believe
that his prayers will be heard. A mo-
ment more, and the heavens grew dark,
the clouds pile up, the winds unloosed,
and the rain falls in torrents. That
little cloud was the size of a mans foot
The origin of the month of Mary dis
played still less, only child's foot. It
was in Rome, towards the end of the
last century, on beautiful evening in
the month of May, child of the peo-
pie assembled his companions around
him before a statute of Mary, where,
according to the custom of the city, a
lamp was kept burning. And there
those pure and innocent voices sang
litanies of the Virgin. Next day this
lovable little band returned to the feet
of the Madonna. The mothers came of
themselves to join this meeting; then
other groups were formed and soon be-
came popular. The month of Mary
was founded.
Soon the little stream became great
river which brought fertility and abun-
dance to the whole earth. The mustard
seed produced a tree whose branches
offer sure refuge to the birds of the
air; that is, devotion to the month of
May, so weak and limited in it's origin,
Immediately developed most maryel-
ously. The humble country sanctuary
and the proudest basilicas resound with
hymns in honor of Mary, aid there at
the foot of her revered statue, the rich
and the poor, the learned and the ig-
norant, blend in one and the same love.
They have but one heart and one voice
to love and praise Mary. On leaving
the scored temple, they again assembled
around her picture, the ornamen and
treasure of their dwelling, and with the
flowers which surround it, they offer
her their heart and implore her protec-
tion and love. Hence the devotion of
the month of Mary has merited most
abundant benedictions for the faithful
The power of the Immaculate Virgin,
responding to the homage of her chill
dren, has been manifested by the great
est nr0dipias and has made them love